Patti Beck, Neighbor

Patti Beck is a freelance journalist who loves to write. She is described by friends and colleagues as passionate and committed to getting the project done well and on time.  She pours her heart and soul into her work. Patti grew up near Springfield, Ill. on a farm and moved to the St. Louis area for college.  She double-majored in Mass Communications/Journalism and Mass Communications/Television-Radio at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.  She served her journalism internship at United Press International (UPI) in St. Louis and her articles were printed in newspapers all over the United States. The broadcast news copy she wrote at UPI was read on the air by TV and radio anchors and reporters in the St. Louis area. During her television-radio internship at KTVI, she was offered an entry level position. Patti stayed at KTVI for six and a half years working her way up to producing the live newscasts. KMOV recruited her to produce live newscasts for them and she produced some of the highest rated, highest revenue generating newscasts at KMOV for 19 years. She thrives in fast-paced, high pressure environments. In 2007, Patti's focus shifted from news to public relations and media relations after she accepted the position of Director of Communications at The National Children's Cancer Society (N.C.C.S.). Helping the families of children diagnosed with cancer became her new passion. She was in charge of the publications, websites, and social media and served as the spokesperson for the organization. Patti volunteers for the American Diabetes Association where she is the Publicity Committee Chairman for the 2011 Tour de Cure fundraising event.  On Tuesday and Thursday nights, you can usually find her in her favorite cycling/spinning class. Patti currently resides in Chesterfield.